Dem Sen. Tom Harkin: Debt Fight Not Between Dems and Reps...It's Between GOP and 'Cult Fringe

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) has a message for Americans: The debt fight isn't between Democrats and Republicans; it's between Republicans and their 'cult fringe.'

In a Democratic press conference earlier today, the congressman called Republicans "dead-beat debtors," attacked Rep. Michele Bachmann's stance on the debt limit and issued a number of related proclamations. He said:

"The debate and fight is not between Democrats and Republicans. It's between some Republicans and their sort of cult fringe as I refer to them out there.

Democrats are willing to do whatever is necessary to raise the debt ceiling, not for future borrowing but to pay the debts that we racked up in the past. Which, mostly was racked up by a Republican House, a Republican Senate and a Republican President in the last 8 years. Yet, they're not willing to pay the bills."

While Harkin attributes most of the nation's debt problems to Republicans, it should be noted that the United States has been acquiring debt for decades. Additionally, the Democrats (who were certainly present in government over the past eight years) were in control of both Houses from December 2006 until the 2010 midterms; the Democratic Party still retains control of the U.S. Senate.

Watch Harkin's comments, below:

(h/t Real Clear Politics)